A PAINFUL ACCIDENT. 131 In the month of August he again visited MountPleasant, where he preached nine times; after which he rode to Peekskill and York-Town, where he also preached to the people, the unsearchable riches of Christ. On the second Lord's day in September, he preached four times, and administered the Lord's supper twice. This extraordinary circumstance arose from the fact, that he preached to two churches, whose communion Sabbath occurred on the same day. In the month of November, the bone of his left leg was severely injured, which partially confined him during the remainder of the year, and prevented his preaching more than once on each Lord's day, and then only by being, with great care, conveyed to the place of worship in a carriage. Thus can the Lord "weaken our strength in the way," and teach us submission to his will. In a note upon this providence of God, the good man remarks-" May this occurrence afford me a lesson on the importance of improving my time, and stimulate me to future exertions in the service of the Lord." This visitation, though very painful, was not without its use, as it gave him greater leisure for the private, but not less important duties of the closet. On the 31st of December, he has the following note in his diary "This is the last day of the year: to me, though extremely ill, and my leg very painful, this is a day of many mercies. I have found the cxix Psalm, 49th verse, peculiarly interesting to my mind: Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.' O that I may constantly realize the faithful promises of my God, and possess that faith which shall enable me to extract from it, encouragement and strength for duties and trials in private and public life, and thus be strong in faith, giving glory to God. The evening was spent in reviewing the many scenes and mercies 132 ESSAY ON WALKING WITH GOD. of the past year, and attempting to consecrate my body and soul to Christ Jesus; that whatever may be my future lot, I may walk with God, until I step out of time into eternity." 66 The opening of the year 1810, found Mr. Stanford confined at home by indisposition of body, but sweetly employed in meditation, prayer, and thanksgiving to God; and in endeavouring renewedly to devote himself to the Lord, and to his service in the gospel." My public labours during the last year," he remarks, were not altogether in vain in the Lord; to him therefore would I ascribe the glory, and humble myself before him in dust and ashes. May I henceforth be assisted by the Spirit of his grace to know, feel, and preach the gospel, with more fruitfulness for the conversion of sinners, the comfort of believers, and the glory of his name.” After a confinement of two weeks, he again ventured to ride out, and was assisted to preach twice. In the afternoon he experienced so great a degree of physical and mental weakness, owing to his recent indisposition, that he was under the necessity of curtailing his discourse. But in the evening he says: "I was more favoured-such occurrences teach me how much I need power and perpetual influences from above. May the Lord visit my mind and heart, if not with a copious shower of his grace and mercy, yet with the gentle dew of his love, that I may bear some humble fruit to the honour of his name, and the benefit of his people." During the month of March, he finished an essay on" Walking with God." The principal design of which seems to have been, to stimulate his own soul in the practice and enjoyment of this high and invaluable privilege. Upon this subject he remarks: "I am taught, by painful experience, both to know and feel, that it is easier for me to walk in a profession, and walk to church, than to walk sensibly and humbly SUDDEN ILLNESS. 133 with my God. O my hard and unfeeling heart-often may I read this piece, and may the Lord, by his Spirit, produce the desired effect."*" On Lord's day, July 8th, he preached a discourse at the opening of a new house for worship, under the ministry of the Rev. Archibald Maclay. The text was Psalm cxviii. 25-" O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity." The congregation was very large, and appearances indicated a high state of spiritual and temporal prosperity. This month he finished an essay on "The Abrogation of the Old Covenant, and the Establishment of the New." The investigation of this subject appears to have afforded him much pleasure, and his essay has since been read with great profit by others. About the latter end of the month, while on a visit to a minister in the city, he was suddenly taken so extremely ill, that it became necessary to convey him home in a carriage. Upon this event he remarks: "How important it is to listen to, and improve such unexpected warnings. I know that my good Lord sends them to arouse my sluggish heart. Be it mine, * A similar instance of humble self-detraction, arising from an exalted view of the spirituality and glory of the divine character, is recorded of one of Britain's most enlightened and devoted prelates. A friend of Archbishop Usher, frequently expressed a wish that he would write an essay upon the subject of sanctification. With this request he at length promised to comply. After the lapse of several months he was again importuned, and at the same time reminded of his promise. The bishop replied-"I have not written, and yet I cannot charge myself with a breach of promise; for I began to write, but when I came to treat of the new creature which God formeth by his Spirit in every regenerate soul, I found so little of it wrought in myself, that I could speak of it only as parrots, or by rote, without the knowledge of what I might have expressed, and therefore I durst not proceed any further 11 upon it. When his friend expressed his surprise at hearing so eminently holy a man making such a confession, the bishop went on to say "I must tell you, we do not well understand what sanctification and the new creature are. It is no less than for a man to be brought to an entire resignation of his own will to the will of God, and to live in the offering up of his soul continually in the flames of love, as a whole burnt-offering to Christ; and O! how many who profess Christianity are unacquainted experi entally with this great work upon their souls!" 134 LETTER TO CAPTAIN W. therefore, by his heavenly grace, to improve every such visitation, knowing that in the midst of life I am in death, and therefore need both an actual and an habitual preparation for my last change." While thus deeply exercised for the spiritual improvement of his own heart, he was not unmindful of the moral wants of others, as will appear from the following letter, addressed to Captain J. W*****, on his making a profession of religion. "DEAR SIR, "Having obtained mercy to acknowledge the power of Christ in the conversion of your soul; and having in the most public manner devoted yourself to the service of the Lord; the next thing is, for you so to conduct before the world, that they may take knowledge of you, that you have been with Christ and learned of him. I shall therefore offer you a few lines of advice, sincerely wishing, that, under the benediction of God, they may be useful to your soul, and enable you to walk worthy of God unto all well pleasing. "In order to the enjoyment of God, you must be earnest in prayer. Prayer is the opening of the heart to God, expressing our wants, and receiving supplies from his hand. Ever depend upon the influence of the Holy Spirit to direct your petitions, and upon the intercession of Christ for their acceptance. The more you cultivate a holy intercourse with God in private, the more heavenly minded will you be in public. 'It is good for me,' said David, to draw near to God;' and this is true of every believer in Christ. 6 "Let me entreat you, my dear brother, often to review the late mercy of God to you, in your conversion; this will increase your humility and gratitude. The more you reflect on your former dark and sinful state, the more humble and thankful will you be. LETTER TO CAPTAIN W. 135 David sang, To him that remembered us in our low estate, for his mercy endureth for ever."' "Guard against the rising of your old sins. Remember they are neither dead nor destroyed, and may at some time or other arise in your heart, and strive to break forth in your life. The old body of sin dies very hard; it will bear more blows and wounds than young professors are aware of. Therefore, on the appearance of any of your old passions, fly to God by prayer, and beg for his grace, which alone is sufficient, and that sin may not have dominion over you. "As God hath mercifully owned you by his grace, I earnestly recommend you to erect an altar for God in your family. Family prayer is a duty, and a very great privilege, especially when performed with an humble and believing heart. David strove to walk within his house with a perfect heart-Jacob taught his household, and commanded his children. And the most high God hath said, that He will pour out his fury on the families that call not upon his name.' May you, my brother, in attending upon this duty, enjoy the richest blessings of God upon your own soul, and in the conversion of every member of your dear family. "With respect to your outward profession and conduct before the world, you will need the greatest circumspection. I have not a doubt but that many of your old companions in sin, will watch your steps, and await your halting, that they may triumph over you, and reproach religion. Remember, that one improper word, or one false step, may be magnified into a great crime; therefore, watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation. I know that from your former connexions, and your present standing, you need more than ordinary vigilance. I must recommend you to cherish an affable disposition of mind, that no one may be induced to charge your profession with melan |